Pakistan's interior minister has warned the country's cricket team he is keeping a "close watch" on them ahead of Wednesday's CrickeWorld Cup semifinal against India following the recent spot-fixing scandal.

Two days before the clash between the two archrivals, Rehman Malik was quoted on Indian television saying he couldn't take any risks.

"I gave a warning that there should be no match fixing," Malik said Monday. "I am keeping a close watch.

"If any such thing happens, we are going to take action."

Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir received long-term bans last month after being found guilty of accepting bribes in return for making sure no-balls were bowled at certain times during a test match in England last August.

Malik said he was "sure the team has very clean members," but said security agencies were monitoring who the players are meeting and "the position of their telephones."

Pace bowler Umar Gul on Monday said he had not heard Malik's comments and that the Pakistan team "have not been following what is being said in the media."